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Bottle Refusal

9 replies

Wildflowers15 · 07/02/2026 15:02

My wee one is almost 4 months and I have EBF.

I am now at the point where I want to introduce a bottle so my husband can help and so I can nip out of the house if needed (or wanted). Since last weekend we have tried to introduce some formula and a bottle. So far we have had no joy. I have tried a teat below his age incase the flow was too fast and also a transition sippy cup. My husband and I have both taken turns to try. We have only been doing this once a day as I don't want it to become a point of stress. I also tried baby just chewing and playing with the empty bottle a few times.

I have tried expressing but I can't seem to get a huge amount, but possibly if I tried the bottle with breast milk this might allow more success until he gets used to a bottle?

Just looking to see what has worked for others and hoping I haven't left it too late to try!

Thanks.

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DinoLil · 07/02/2026 15:15

A cup. Sounds mad, but I EBF for 9m with both DC. They wouldn't take a bottle either, not formula or what I expressed. They would take expressed milk from a cup though, not often, from tiny like yours. It was just enough so I could dash out to the shop or something. I'm 54 and my late grandmother suggested it and it did the job! My DC are late 20s now and I know everything has changed, but, hey, worth a go?

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Wildflowers15 · 07/02/2026 16:15

Thank you, that's good to know and definitely worth a try!

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MarioLink · 07/02/2026 16:54

Sorry nothing worked for us but you aren't far from being able to leave them without any milk if nothing works for you either. I tried, DH tried and our childminder tried, expressed milk and formula, different bottles and cups but mine wouldn't have it. At 6 months they starred to accept a sippy cup of water alongside weaning so I could leave them for a bit. One drank cows milk from an open cup at age 1. The other has never drank milk but eats yoghurt and cheese.

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Original poster
Wildflowers15 · 07/02/2026 17:10

MarioLink · 07/02/2026 16:54

Sorry nothing worked for us but you aren't far from being able to leave them without any milk if nothing works for you either. I tried, DH tried and our childminder tried, expressed milk and formula, different bottles and cups but mine wouldn't have it. At 6 months they starred to accept a sippy cup of water alongside weaning so I could leave them for a bit. One drank cows milk from an open cup at age 1. The other has never drank milk but eats yoghurt and cheese.

Thank you. Did you start to wean earlier than 6 months in that case, and did you stop BF at 6 months?

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MarioLink · 07/02/2026 22:33

Hi. No I weaned them onto food at 6 months but kept breastfeeding into the toddler years. One child didn't take to food for a bit so still needed a lot of my milk but knowing she drank water allowed me to leave her for a few hours. The other took to food immediately at 6 months so breastfeeding could decrease quicker. I felt very trapped by breastfeeding in the early months but once I wasn't the only source of nutrition it was easier. It would have been easier still if they'd accepted some expressed milk though!

100Otters · 07/02/2026 23:44

I am in a similar situation but with my 10 week old. The thing that’s had most success so far is feeding him from the breast first then unlatching him and swopping in the bottle. I’m just expressing a little bit to get him used to it and he’ll take about 40ml. Still not keen on DH giving it but I am having DH hold the bottle whilst I hold the baby and we will slowly try to transfer him over.

like you I’m just trying once a day so it’s not too much. I’ve got a big night out in a couple of weeks though so need to try and crack it!

user4534 · 07/02/2026 23:58

Sorry I never had success either but perhaps I gave up to easily. I know it seems a long way off but you not that far off being able to leave them with a snack, and as they grow and wean the feeds get further apart.

Original poster
Wildflowers15 · 10/02/2026 13:40

100Otters · 07/02/2026 23:44

I am in a similar situation but with my 10 week old. The thing that’s had most success so far is feeding him from the breast first then unlatching him and swopping in the bottle. I’m just expressing a little bit to get him used to it and he’ll take about 40ml. Still not keen on DH giving it but I am having DH hold the bottle whilst I hold the baby and we will slowly try to transfer him over.

like you I’m just trying once a day so it’s not too much. I’ve got a big night out in a couple of weeks though so need to try and crack it!

I tried putting him in the breastfeeding position and using the bottle but that did not work!

I popped him in the bouncer and finally had a bit of success with the 4 month 'first cup' so will keep trying! 1oz was used but some did fall straight back out of his mouth 😂

Good luck for your night out!

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Original poster
Wildflowers15 · 10/02/2026 13:42

user4534 · 07/02/2026 23:58

Sorry I never had success either but perhaps I gave up to easily. I know it seems a long way off but you not that far off being able to leave them with a snack, and as they grow and wean the feeds get further apart.

I know and that is keeping me going, but there are nights he is up 5 times. Hoping a mixture of getting him on the bottle so my husband can help and when I can start weaning that things will improve. We'll keep trying with the bottle for now! Thank you.

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